Amtrak #6(29) Hit Empty Cattle Trailer in Nebraska

Last night, the eastbound California Zephyrcollided with an empty cattle trailer west of Parks, Nebraska. No injuries have been reported. An engine that was damaged had to be removed though. #6(29) is currently running close to eight hours late in Iowa.

Midwest Trains caught this train at Axtell, Nebraska with just the AMTK 183 leading.

Stop! Crashing! Amtrak! Seriously, their public image has been torn apart and stomped into the ground repeatedly this year, and it just shouldn't be that difficult to not routinely crash into vehicles and cattle carts all the time.

Stop! Crashing! Amtrak! Seriously, their public image has been torn apart and stomped into the ground repeatedly this year, and it just shouldn't be that difficult to not routinely crash into vehicles and cattle carts all the time.

The only that's going to stop such incidents is to eliminate all grade crossings. In most instances, it's the stupidity of the drivers of vehicles that cause the accidents.

Stop! Crashing! Amtrak! Seriously, their public image has been torn apart and stomped into the ground repeatedly this year, and it just shouldn't be that difficult to not routinely crash into vehicles and cattle carts all the time.

You may want to familiarize yourself with how a train's braking system works (and the physics involved in stopping a train at various speeds) before making such comments.

I understand that it's not as simple as choosing not to crash, and that trains can't just stop on a dime. I meant that all these crashes and incidents are having a serious detrimental effect to Amtrak's reputation and credibility.

I understand that it's not as simple as choosing not to crash, and that trains can't just stop on a dime. I meant that all these crashes and incidents are having a serious detrimental effect to Amtrak's reputation and credibility.

But you said it shouldn't be that difficult for Amtrak to avoid hitting vehicles. How might they go about doing that?

Stop! Crashing! Amtrak! Seriously, their public image has been torn apart and stomped into the ground repeatedly this year, and it just shouldn't be that difficult to not routinely crash into vehicles and cattle carts all the time.

Okay, since you stated it shouldn't be that difficult, you must have some idea of the solution.

Unfortunately, grade crossing accident's are probably not going to go away all together, although there are some steps that can be taken to reduce their number.

It is impractical due to the huge cost, to eliminate all grade crossing's. They can eliminate some, and better protect other's. Such as full-width barrier's, that would prevent the foolish motorists that try to 'slalom' around the half-crossing's.

I am not sure if the PTC system will be able to monitor crossings, that may have vehicles stuck, blocking them, or not. If not, perhaps such sensor's could be added to the system.

Probably one of the best fixes, would be to really elevate the education of motorists, as to the risk involved. "Operation Lifesaver", https://oli.org, should receive more funding, so that all new driver's receive more information. I have not heard much from this program in recent years, at least where I live, probably because there are fewer grade crossings...

Unfortunately, grade crossing accident's are probably not going to go away all together, although there are some steps that can be taken to reduce their number.

It is impractical due to the huge cost, to eliminate all grade crossing's. They can eliminate some, and better protect other's. Such as full-width barrier's, that would prevent the foolish motorists that try to 'slalom' around the half-crossing's.

I am not sure if the PTC system will be able to monitor crossings, that may have vehicles stuck, blocking them, or not. If not, perhaps such sensor's could be added to the system.

Probably one of the best fixes, would be to really elevate the education of motorists, as to the risk involved. "Operation Lifesaver", https://oli.org, should receive more funding, so that all new driver's receive more information. I have not heard much from this program in recent years, at least where I live, probably because there are fewer grade crossings...

Also, strictly enforcing gate evasion rules with cameras that record moving vehicles going around gates and detect vehicles blocking tracks. One place where I think camera tickets are justified.Put $1000 fine on it and the problem will be vastly reduced.

#6 was nearly nine and a half hours late out of Ottumwa. I caught it running on the left track past Agency. It had a warrant to run on the left track to Burlington. So somewhere east of here, it met #5 running west on the eastbound track.

Grade crossing incidents aren't going away in this country. In fact, SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) just had one this afternoon, complete with an injury. Delivery truck deliberately drove around activated and down crossing arms (multiple witnesses) only to be smacked by a train traveling at 50 mph.

Last night, the eastbound California Zephyrcollided with an empty cattle trailer west of Parks, Nebraska. No injuries have been reported. An engine that was damaged had to be removed though. #6(29) is currently running close to eight hours late in Iowa.

Midwest Trains caught this train at Axtell, Nebraska with just the AMTK 183 leading.

A minute and 22 seconds of a shaky shot of an equipment shed, just to watch a train go by. Really?

Grade crossings cost so much to eliminate. A few years ago two over passes were built to eliminate two grade crossings for millions of dollars. Now another grade crossing is being proposed to be eliminated, but all the property owners are fighting the overpass, wanting the crossing to remain. this project has been in the works for three years and no ground has been broken.

Not understanding the physics of a train stopping is contagious in state legislatures, where in Illinois several years ago, several members suggested traffic signals at rail crossings just like road intersections, using the same technology, they figured a train could stop in the same distance as a car or a truck.

Last night, the eastbound California Zephyrcollided with an empty cattle trailer west of Parks, Nebraska. No injuries have been reported. An engine that was damaged had to be removed though. #6(29) is currently running close to eight hours late in Iowa.

Midwest Trains caught this train at Axtell, Nebraska with just the AMTK 183 leading.

A minute and 22 seconds of a shaky shot of an equipment shed, just to watch a train go by. Really?

Two things I'll never understand: why so many people become so stupid at crossings and why so many people don't use tripods.

Probably one of the best fixes, would be to really elevate the education of motorists, as to the risk involved. "Operation Lifesaver", https://oli.org, should receive more funding, so that all new driver's receive more information. I have not heard much from this program in recent years, at least where I live, probably because there are fewer grade crossings.

Motorists aren't going to educate themselves unless they have to. We need to get rid of the perpetual driving license loophole and force people to re-qualify every few years. That would also be a great time to cover all the changes in laws and regulations they've missed over the preceding decades of lazy indifference. For commercial vehicles you need to substantially punish the bottom line of any business that is caught employing unsafe drivers. That'll get their attention.

Also, strictly enforcing gate evasion rules with cameras that record moving vehicles going around gates and detect vehicles blocking tracks. One place where I think camera tickets are justified.Put $1000 fine on it and the problem will be vastly reduced.

I agree with the general concept but I'd prefer the fine be based on a percentage of income/gains/wealth in order to ensure it doesn't completely destroy the life of someone who is very poor but also isn't simply ignored by someone who is extremely rich. Other countries handle moving violations in this way and I'd like to use a similar framework here.

Unfortunately, when it comes to car drivers, truck drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians - there is no way to fix being S T U P I D at grade crossings. I disagree that cameras, and draconian fines would have much, if any, positive effect.

Virtually all of human history is a tale of "fixing stupid" as you say. Even if you believe that a camera and fine system wouldn't stop people from crossing paths with a moving train the revenue generated from such a system could be used to help defray the cost of physically separating the grade in the future. Everybody wins.

Grade crossings cost so much to eliminate. A few years ago two over passes were built to eliminate two grade crossings for millions of dollars. Now another grade crossing is being proposed to be eliminated, but all the property owners are fighting the overpass, wanting the crossing to remain. this project has been in the works for three years and no ground has been broken.

Not understanding the physics of a train stopping is contagious in state legislatures, where in Illinois several years ago, several members suggested traffic signals at rail crossings just like road intersections, using the same technology, they figured a train could stop in the same distance as a car or a truck.

I can't understand why property owner's would object to an overpass replacing a grade crossing....could it be their "view" would be blocked somewhat? Seriously?

I suppose they would rather get stuck waiting for long freight trains to clear. And they would miss hearing the locomotives blowing their horns. And the chance of a catastrophic wreck with hazardous material's forcing their evacuation....Really?

Unfortunately, when it comes to car drivers, truck drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians - there is no way to fix being S T U P I D at grade crossings. I disagree that cameras, and draconian fines would have much, if any, positive effect.

Even if you believe that a camera and fine system wouldn't stop people from crossing paths with a moving train the revenue generated from such a system could be used to help defray the cost of physically separating the grade in the future. Everybody wins.

I don't think it would work in real life, because so often real life just isn't that logical.